Westminster

Westminster's population expanded between the last two censuses. Data from the census show there were changes in religion.

The population passed 200,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Westminster increased by 21%, from just over 181,000 to 219,000.

The addition of about 38,000 people means this area's population was the fifth fastest-growing across England.

In 2011, Westminster was home to, on average, 73 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More worked long hours

This area saw England's third-largest rise in the proportion of people working long hours.

During this period, Westminster overtook South Holland and Eden to become the English local authority area with the fourth-highest percentage of long hours workers.

In 2011, just over one in five (22%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Westminster said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, compared with 20% in 2001. The percentage that worked less than 16 hours in a week increased from 1.9% to 2.9%.

The largest increase occurred in City of London (from 24% to 27%) followed by Richmondshire (from 20% to 23%).

Because of its small size, comparisons to City of London should be made with caution.

Long hour working was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) that that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

The percentage of married people increased

This area saw England's third-largest rise in the proportion of married people.

In 2011, just over one in three (33%) people aged 16 and over in Westminster said they were married, compared with 32% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single decreased from 51% to 51%.

The largest increase occurred in City of London (from 31% to 35%) followed by Kensington and Chelsea (from 33% to 36%).

The proportion of married people was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in rate of self-employment

The rate of self-employment increased in Westminster, but at a slower rate than all other London boroughs, except Bexley and Hillingdon.

Every local authority area across London saw a rise in the proportion of self-employed people, as the regional average grew from 9.0% to 12%.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) people aged 16 to 74 in Westminster said they were self-employed, compared with 11% in 2001. The percentage that were employed increased from 48% to 49%.

The rate of self-employment was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were self-employed across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Westminster

The number of people in Westminster that described themselves as Muslim increased from about 21,000 in 2001 to about 40,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 12% to 18% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across London (from 8.5% to 12%) and the average across England (from 3.2% to 5.2%).

The number of people in Westminster that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 100,000 in 2001 to about 98,000 in 2011 (from 55% to 45%). The number of people who described themselves as having no religion increased from about 29,000 to just under 45,000 (from 16% to 20%).

About 21,000 people (8.8%) did not state their religion, up from just under 16,000 in 2001 (9.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Muslim in Westminster increased by 6.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Westminster by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in Westminster housing

The percentage of socially rented homes fell in Westminster, but at a slower rate than in City of London, a statistically similar local authority area.

In Westminster, the proportion of social housing decreased from 29% in 2001 to 26% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in City of London decreased from 22% to 17%.

Across London, the share of socially rented homes decreased from 26% to 24%.

Private renting in Westminster increased from 32% to 40%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 35% to 31%.

The rate of social housing was higher than across London

Percentage of households that that rented socially across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

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